Housing / Bringing empty homes back into use part of SSEN’s accommodation plans
SSEN could explore bringing empty homes in Shetland back into long-term use as part of plans for future workforce accommodation.
The energy giant is already running a similar scheme in Orkney, where it is looking for more long-term empty homes to refurbish and rent.
SSEN has a number of large projects on the horizon in Shetland, including a potential second subsea HVDC link to the Scottish mainland which is set to come with significant on-land infrastructure.
The company previously announced plans to build homes in the north of Scotland to accommodate people working on its various projects in the region, before potentially handing the housing to local authorities afterwards.
But a spokesperson for SSEN Transmission confirmed that empty homes will also potentially be part of the mix.
“We continue to work with Shetland Islands Council and local housing stakeholders to identify workforce accommodation solutions – including how we can deliver a positive legacy through our pledge to support the delivery of more than 1,000 new homes for local communities in the north of Scotland, as part of our accommodation requirements,” they said.
“We are exploring all viable options as part of our accommodation mix, and this includes bringing empty homes in Shetland back into long-term use.
“We hope to be able to share more information about this with communities and stakeholders in due course.”
There has been repeated concern in the past over the pressure visiting workforces can have on the existing housing and rental sector in Shetland, with developers encouraged to explore their own solutions in the future.
The scheme in Orkney, where a transmission link to Caithness and associated substation are being built, sees SSEN Transmission providing financial support for bringing long-term empty homes back into use in exchange for a reduced rental for management staff.
Two empty homes have already been brought back into use, with more on the way.
The company is looking for homes on mainland Orkney which have been empty for at least six months and require no more than £25,000 worth of upfront investment to bring up to a rentable standard.
SSEN Transmission would provide that upfront funding, and recover that cost over time through a reduced rent through to summer 2028.
It comes on top of a planned temporary accommodation camp which will be built in Orkney for those working on the construction of a new substation in Finstown.
Scottish Government figures say that in September 2024 Shetland had an empty homes rate – those empty for more than six months – of 409 per 10,000 dwellings.
For long-term empty homes – empty for more than a year – this was 375 per 10,000.
These are some of the highest rates in Scotland.
A meeting in May heard that Shetland Islands Council was looking to employ a full-time officer, supported by government, to look at the issue of long-term empty homes.
A graduate officer and external consults have also been working on an empty homes strategy.
Development director Neil Grant also said things need to progress with more “urgency”.
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